Coastal Texas Project updates, Greenhouse Road underpass: 5 trending stories in the Greater Houston area

Catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week with five trending Greater Houston-area stories from Dec. 19-26.

1. Coastal Texas Project moves forward with two new design contracts

After years of being locked in a standstill, planners of the Coastal Texas Project announced the approval of two engineering design contracts that will allow the project to move forward once again.

The Gulf Coast Protection District announced Dec. 2 that it had approved two contracts with global engineering firms Jacobs and HDR to design the gates, beaches and dunes portions of the initially authorized $34 billion project, respectively.

Per the agreement, no dollar amount has been awarded for the total design project. Rather, each portion of the project, or “tasks,” will have a specific dollar amount to be agreed upon in the future, GCPD Communications Director Heather Betancourth said.

Betancourth also confirmed the design phase could begin as soon as 2026.

Learn more from Reporter Rachel Leland.

2. $81M Greenhouse Road underpass set for 2026 construction

Greenhouse Road will be expanded to a six-lane roadway with 10-foot-wide hike and bike lanes along both sides of the roadway, according to project details shared by Harris County MUD 500 and Caldwell Companies.

The new underpass will include an expanded overpass on Hwy. 290, a tunnel structure underneath the Union Pacific railroad and additional sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.

“Drivers will now have an underpass to get from north of 290 to south of 290, and this is especially important to allow emergency vehicles to bypass trains coming through the area and avoid delay,” Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey said.

Ramsey’s office said the project is set to go out for bid on construction in February 2026 and wrap up by 2030.

Read the full story by Editor Jessica Shorten.

3. 8 businesses coming soon to Sugar Land-Missouri City

From a new Amazon facility to a pickleball club and Indian grocery store, eight new businesses are coming soon to the Sugar Land and Missouri City area.

Openings planned for 2026 include Firehouse Subs, Ace Pickleball Club, MG Salon, Vishala Grocery, new medical and chiropractic offices, a regional blood donor center and a large Amazon project.

This list is not comprehensive.

See more details from Editor Aubrey Vogel.

4. Vevor to open at former Big Lots location on Jones Road

A new Vevor location has plans to open at the former Big Lots location on Jones Road, according to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Per the TDLR listing, construction for the new 31,962-square-foot Vevor location was completed in October.

Learn more from Reporter Jovanna Aguilar.

5. Singas Famous Pizza coming to Sugar Land

Singas Famous Pizza will open a new location in Sugar Land.

The eatery serves handmade pizzas, pasta dishes and sandwiches crafted with fresh ingredients, per its website. Other menu items include chicken wings, garlic breadsticks, meatballs, spaghetti and some desserts.

See more details from Editor Aubrey Vogel.